If there’s anyone who mixes faith and sports, (and with it, intentionally or unintentionally, politics and sports) it’s Tim Tebow. Those who believe sports should be kept from being used as a political platform need to cast the first stone at Tim Tebow, as he consistently commits that act over and over again.
It was previously projected that 30,000 would come see Tebow preach at an outdoor Easter church service yesterday. Estimates have Sunday’s flock in Georgetown, TX closer to 15,000. Still, he’s a huge draw, and quite a few of those fans were wearing #15 New York Jets jerseys.
“In Christianity, it’s the Pope and Tebow right now,” Celebration Church pastor Joe Champion he said. “We didn’t have enough room to handle the Pope.”
As you can see from the video above, Tebow himself admits he uses his NFL stardom to promote his agenda. He shamelessly uses the platform he has been given to promote the advancement of his way of life.
At the “Easter on the Hill” service, he sat (oh wait, it’s Tebow so I should say “He” sat, and “He has risen”) for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and its role in his public life.
“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith,” Tebow said.
He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models.
“Yes you are. You’re just not a good one,” Tebow preached.
You’re up Charles Barkley! Now I’m looking forward to Chuckles’ response on this one.
The most alarming moment would come later. Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America.
“First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that,” Tebow said to applause.
Yey! Eroding the separation of church and state. Clap for that!
Turning America into a Christian theocracy! High fives all around! Theocracy (that of the strict Muslim variety) is the government of choice for most of the countries we’ve gone to war with recently, just in case you wonder how that might work out. Or you can rent the horror film “Jesus Camp” to learn more. It’s listed in the documentary category. And props to Tebow for the Sarah Palin like command of U.S history (who says home-schooling doesn’t work?)- the United States was not founded by Evangelical Christians. It was settled by Puritans, but the founding fathers were mostly Deitists. They were more agnostic than Christy.
Hard to believe that political beliefs that belong on The 700 Club were uttered just 20 miles north of Austin, TX- a very progressive, forward-thinking town. But Tebow brought the Jerry Falwell thought to central Texas.
Meditate on all this the next time you go Tebowing!
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.